NOVEL NEXT Chapter 66
Indeed, being a veteran with ten years of broadcasting experience is truly terrifying.
From what I’ve heard, Mr. Exit is also making his first offline collaboration today, but it’s hard to believe how smoothly he controlled the atmosphere and led the conversation; it was truly inspiring.
Especially when the chat or donations could easily have turned cold, he was able to transform them into laughter while shining the spotlight more on me, the guest, all while maintaining the essence of the ‘collaboration’ content. It was so admirable!
Surviving for a long time is a sign of strength. That phrase from a fantasy comic I read comes to mind as a joke. No wonder he’s called the streamer of streamers.
“Next concern comes from ‘Mr. ExitTaxMore’, huh? Why do I have to pay more taxes, guys?”
While I was organizing my learning points and running the broadcast, one of the memes in the Exit group — “Pay more taxes!” — showed up, which made Mr. Exit exclaim in genuine grievance.
But of course, it seemed like the Exit group had no intention of listening at all.
[Sweet Exit Group] – This is a question asked out of ignorance?
[Yeoreu] – Is it a matter of conscience, bro?
[Tactical Worship] – Wow, the guy with a wife who is four years younger, who takes care of everything and even feeds him… Exit’s character is insane!
“No, she only acts like that in front of the camera! Just today, she nagged me so much.”
Well, it was definitely the opposite of the gentle and soft demeanor that Mrs. Exit showed earlier in front of the camera. In some sense, I might understand Mr. Exit’s grievance a little.
But honestly, when Mrs. Exit occasionally shares stories during broadcasts, it’s undeniable that she is the queen of supporting her husband. Is there really a wife these days who wakes her husband up in the morning, washes his hair herself, and even feeds him?
“Mr. Cosmo, you should say something too. You saw how my wife was nagging me, right?”
“Uh? Ah, that….”
I didn’t expect the spotlight to suddenly turn on me, and I glanced at the chat window a bit flustered.
Honestly, it’s not hard to take his side, but that would ruin the fun of the broadcast. The Exit group is called the Exit group for a reason; these folks live to scrutinize Mr. Exit at every chance they get.
As one of them, I understand that feeling well. So, I knew exactly what I needed to do.
“Ah, but couldn’t it be said that it was Mr. Exit’s fault for leaving the guests to miss the welcome while trusting Gav-in to handle it…? I feel like I shouldn’t say that, right?”
“N-no, yes…!?”
It seemed that he never expected me to step in with a deal like this, and his eyes widened as he looked at me with a ‘Et tu, Brute’ expression.
In contrast, it looked like the Exit group felt it was finally their time, as they immediately began typing in the chat, criticizing Mr. Exit for not even properly welcoming the guests who came to his house.
[Exit Group Side Hustler] – Wow, that’s incredible!
[I will do that] – Exit’s character is insane!
[Wonhyo’s Skull Water] – I can’t even shield this one…
[Toot Toot] – Is it real, bro?
[Worm Jelly JMT] – If you’re not better than a small-time streamer, then you’re in trouble…
In truth, how many streamers are genuinely worse than Mr. Exit? Regardless, I felt pleased that the atmosphere I wanted had materialized, and I couldn’t help but grin.
“Ahem! Now, let’s not stray too far from the topic. Let’s read the concern sent by our viewers.”
“Wait, you’re using the Exit Group shield? You usually draw the line saying it’s a business relationship…”
[Ching-Chong] – LOL
[Gav-in’s indirect fire] – This person is totally from the Exit Group! LOL
[We live thanks to that Exit guy…] –
I could clearly see Mr. Exit’s attempt to sneak away, but I couldn’t just let that happen.
After putting in another deal and hitting him with a jab, the mood in the chat took a quick turn and began bombarding Mr. Exit with even more criticism.
“Wow, Mr. Cosmo, I didn’t expect you to be such a scary person.”
Ultimately, Mr. Exit, now betrayed even by me, let out a sigh and distanced himself slightly, muttering those words.
I felt satisfied; it seemed I had managed to draw enough content.
While somewhat managing the atmosphere, we refocused on the original content and decided to read the story sent by our viewers.
“So, the concern from ‘Mr. ExitTaxMore’ is… ‘I feel too insignificant.’ Wow, the opening content is pretty intense, huh?”
“… Yeah, it seems like they have a pretty deep concern.”
[LifeQuitting] – ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ
[Please Set a Nickname] – Just hearing the title is sad…
[Thunder Squirrel] – No, you’re the best Exit Group member! ㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠㅠ
The serious title turned the chat window into a flood of tears in an instant.
Up until now, the content was relatively light, or at least seemed to be sent intentionally as humorous concerns, but this one seemed like a rather serious issue.
And this title resonated with me too, which made my heart sink a bit. I had been addressing the previous concerns somewhat seriously, but this time, I wanted to respond with even more sincerity.
“Let me read it. ‘Hello, I’m a viewer who always enjoys your broadcast. Actually, I heard about this content and wanted to share a problem I’ve never told anyone about. I would be grateful if you could just listen to my inadequate story once.’”
Breaking the ice, Mr. Exit took a sip of water next to him to soothe his throat and continued.
“Actually, I’m a 27-year-old man this year. My friends around me have either found jobs, quickly gotten married, or at least pursued their dreams, while I feel like I’m left behind on a deserted island. Lately, the thought that I haven’t achieved anything has made my days very gloomy.”
“Even though I find energy watching your broadcasts in the meantime, after they end, all that runs through my mind is, ‘I shouldn’t be doing this right now.’ and I end up collapsing onto my bed. What’s most painful is that I don’t even know what I can do, or what I want to do.”
This is probably a common concern for ordinary young people in their twenties. However, because it is such a common worry, the viewers in the chat reacted with empathy, and no one could speak lightly.
“Maybe both you and Mr. Cosmo are amazing people, and struggle to relate to such pathetic concerns. But gathering courage, I am writing this. What would be good for me to do moving forward?”
Indeed.
The last paragraph made me realize that this person shares a lot in common with me.
Mr. Exit might not know, but reflecting on the figure I show online, feeling like ‘an amazing person’ while inadvertently belittling my existence, I felt a strong resemblance to my younger self.
I had once felt that way. No, perhaps there isn’t a significant difference even now.
Beside me were always those who excelled in studies, maintained good friendships, were beautiful, and even pursued their dreams at an early age. I think she was probably the first person I ever respected in my life.
Conversely, I think there was also a latent jealousy and envy towards her.
I once heard that admiration and jealousy are only a sheet of paper apart. In my case, that was a person named Kang Yeon-joo.
Maybe that’s why I tried hard to study and at least hold onto that one thing; I wanted to not fall behind even a little bit to such a brilliant person.
“That’s quite a serious concern. I’d like to first ask Cosmo what he thinks about it.”
“Hmm, yes. Actually, I’ve heard this concern a few times while broadcasting…”
Every time those questions come up, what I want to say is somewhat cliché.
But at least, on this particular day, when I decided to share my story today, I want to share my thoughts not as the streamer Cosmo, but as a person named Kang Woo-joo.
That was also part of my process of venting my own concerns.
“I believe I can share a few things about this. But before that, I’d like to share my story first.”
“Your story?”
“Yes, it’s actually something I’ve never revealed even during my broadcasts…”
With a somewhat heavy opening, Mr. Exit probably caught on to the fact that what I referred to as ‘my story’ was about to begin.
“Please, I’m very curious to hear it.”
With the gentle smile of a father pushing his son forward, he encouraged me.
“Ha-ha, it’s not a fun story… but I will try to keep it lighthearted.”
I greeted them with a smile that was somewhat embarrassing, then squinted my eyes for a moment, hesitating before finally speaking up.
As I yearned for this story to reach the one person I want to tell it to the most among all the viewers tuning in…